How I Make My Fresco Surface

I first discovered pit lime and marble dust as artistic materials during a workshop with Gabriele Musebrink, and I was immediately captivated! What could be better than using these ancient materials for a painting in the 21st century?!

Pit lime, also known as slaked lime plaster, is made from marble and contains 95% calcium oxide and less than 5% magnesium. It is fired with wood and then slaked in a lime pit for up to ten years. The longer it matures, the smoother it becomes. High-quality pit lime is excellent for fresco painting due to its strong binding properties and outstanding durability. It is also recommended for high-quality plastering and wall paintings.

Burnt lime has been crucial for architectural, dietary, and other purposes in Mayan society since 1100 BC. A large medieval lime pit from the 12th or 13th century was discovered in Colchester, UK. Before the development of concrete, lime mortar was used to build some of the world’s most iconic structures; today, it is mainly used to repair them.

Marble dust is a stone filler for pigments and primers, commonly used in the creation of gesso and to thicken paint. It is also an ingredient in Venetian plaster and used in making soft pastels.

To learn more, please visit:

www.allthingsencaustic.com/fresco-surface/

Thanks to Ruth Maude for giving me the opportunity to share my work.